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Lack of Water


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Mel on 4/23/2005 6:47:08 PM:
When will there be water fountains installed along the trail???? It is vital that there be water available to exercisers, particularly in high-trafficked areas, such as the St. Charles westbound section. I was out running on a very hot day recently, and the trail was packed with bikers, walkers and runners, but there was NO WATER available. In Columbia, the MKT trail (which conects with the Katy Trail), has half-mile mile markers, as well as drinking fountains spaced out along the route. I realize the Katy Trail is a state park, rather than a city one, however, I feel it is very irresponsible for the state to not provide proper drinking stops for users of the trail. The energy and money required to install at least a few fountains, spaced about 2 miles apart, are absolutely outweighed by the health risks involved in rigorous exercise in humid, hot Missouri weather, when water bottles run dry!!
 
savage24 from KC, MO on 4/24/2005 1:04:08 PM:
Nails, I feel your pain! I've been trying to post a response, but I keep having to stop and count to 100!

Mel, I do think drinking fountains are a good idea for the trailheads that have water, though one can refill their water bottle from the tap at the sink. I think it is unrealistic to expect the state to provide drinking water at regular intervals on a 200+ mile trail. Despite your apparent views to the contrary, the state is not responsible for your personal hydration; plan accordingly.
 
Nails on 4/24/2005 7:22:28 PM:
Glad I'm not alone in my thinking. I'd be careful about drinking water from a sink at a trailhead that doesn't have a drinking fountain. There may not be a drinking fountain because the water isn't potable.
 
Dan from the East from St. Peters, MO on 8/11/2005 2:10:08 PM:
I agree that water is important. I'm a runner not a biker. I hope to have water available every 5 to 10 miles of some sort from say May to September. Water at every trailhead should be enough though. To carry enough water as a runner is hard but you have to plan it out. To run say 10, 15 or 20 miles to the trailhead and find no water can be a problem. For a biker not to carry enough water for the whole day seems like poor planning to me. I agree with the post on this page that talks about getting water from the sinks. I would think this would be pottable or marked if not. It may at least be well water which could be risky.
 
Mark of the Dalton Boys from Austin, TX./Columbia, MO. on 8/16/2005 9:35:42 AM:
...Yeah, what "Nails" said....right on!! You get angel food cake and you won't or don't like it for lack of frosting. Jeez! Mark of the Datlon Boys
 
Nails on 9/2/2005 12:34:40 PM:
Better yet, my mom's homemade buttercream frosting. Mmmmmmmm!

I run too. Unless it's a sanctioned event, on my long runs, I carry my own water. Yes, it's a pain with the CamelBack rubbing my shoulders for 20 miles, but that's the price you pay when you're not elligible for a Darwin Award.
 
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